A look at how UAE have fared in their road to Russia

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The UAE reached the third and final round of World Cup qualification by finishing runners-up to Saudi Arabia in Group A last year. As such, they were drawn in Group B alongside the Saudis again, Asian champions Australia, five-time World Cup participants Japan, and Iraq and Thailand.

The UAE secured arguably their greatest victory on foreign soil by defeating the Asian heavyweights in Saitama. Ahmed Khalil scored a brilliant free-kick and a ‘Panenka’ penalty. Then the UAE held on. They were off to a flier.

What should have been a routine victory was not without its problems. Ali Mabkhout scored twice but then Thailand halved the deficit. A tense and tight finish ensued, before Khalil made safe the points in injury time.

Looking to secure an unlikely double against Japan, the UAE were comfortably second best in Al Ain, outdone by early goals in each half. The pressure mounted on Mahdi Ali, with fans calling for his resignation.

Edgardo Bauza’s first competitive match in charge ended in disappointment. The UAE needed Ali Mabkhout’s injury-time strike to snatch a draw, which ultimately felt like defeat. The UAE were all but out.

Then they clung to that World Cup dream. The UAE rebounded from going a goal down, turning around the game through top-class finishes from Mabkhout and Khalil. It was a first win against the Saudis since 2007.